SICKLY PETS LEAD DOG OWNERS TO SUE PUPPY PALACE

A group of pet owners sued a South Florida puppy store Thursday, saying the business sold them animals ridden with contagious diseases, genetic disorders and other health problems.

Lawsuits were filed in Broward and Palm Beach circuit courts against Puppy Palace Inc., a pet store with locations in Hollywood and Boynton Beach. The customers claim it violates state law because it misrepresents the quality of its puppies.

According to the lawsuits, which allege fraud and breach of warranty, nine plaintiffs -- eight in Palm Beach County and one in Broward -- seek to be reimbursed for the price of their dogs, as well as the veterinary expenses they incurred while caring for the sick animals. The lawsuit also asks the court to stop Puppy Palace from selling puppies.

Puppy Palace owner Judy Norford could not be contacted for comment Thursday, despite several attempts to reach her by phone at her Hollywood store.

Plaintiff April Wolf, a Boynton Beach resident, said that when she bought Zoe, her Australian cattle dog, at the pet store in March 2002, she was told the puppy came from a private breeder in Fort Lauderdale. Zoe suffered from all sorts of health problems, including pneumonia and mange, according to the lawsuit. Her symptoms ranged from coughing and diarrhea, to fever and runny nose.

Wolf says she later learned her canine came from a Missouri puppy mill that has been repeatedly cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"I was so angry. It's not like they're ripping off people with cars. These are innocent animals," said Wolf, 35, a dental office manager who says she spent more than $2,000 in vet bills to care for Zoe. "It's disgusting. I don't know how these people can do this. It isn't fair because I was lied to."

West Palm Beach attorney Marcy LaHart, who is representing the pet owners, said her clients were defrauded because Puppy Palace misrepresents from where its puppies come. Puppy mills turn out canines the way a factory "mass-produces widgets," she said.

Davie resident Karen Valente was given Mickey, a yellow Labrador retriever purchased at Puppy Palace, as a Mother's Day gift in 2002. A few months later, Mickey started limping. The dog was diagnosed with elbow and hip dysplasia, enamel hypoplasia and an impacted tooth. Valente spent about $2,000 in vet bills, she said.

"My vet said Mickey was a genetic mess," said Valente, 56, a restaurant owner and mother of two. "He'll never run or romp like a regular dog." She said if Puppy Palace won't help her pay for Mickey's medical expenses, she hopes the court can force it to do so.

According to the lawsuit, Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control has cited the Boynton Beach Puppy Palace, 3557 Boynton Beach Boulevard, for several violations, including keeping puppies in crowded, dirty cages lacking proper bedding.

"I want Puppy Palace to shut its doors," said Boca Raton resident and plaintiff Sherri Thomas, 49, a personal trainer whose tan-and-white Jack Russell terrier, Jessie, was put to sleep in April after a yearlong bout with distemper, a genetic disease.

"It's horrible, totally horrible when you have to put an animal to sleep. I expected my dog to live for 15 years," Thomas said. "I'm not the only one, either. That's the sad thing."

Daniella Aird can be reached at daird@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4550